AltWeeklies Wire
'Tinted Windows' Is Harder Than It Looksnew
The veteran lineup of Tinted Windows isn't a guarantee of power-pop success, which requires genuine emotional depth.
Jackson Free Press |
Rob Hamilton |
05-11-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Tinted Windows, rock music
Black Joe Lewisnew
Putting out an album reflecting your influences is one thing, but for Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears to last beyond the flavor-of-the-month period, they need a single worthy of the legends they emulate.
Jackson Free Press |
Rob Hamilton |
04-24-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Evaluating a Five-Star Albumnew
Time was, a Rolling Stone magazine five-star "classic" rating meant something. Here are the criteria for making those stars relevant again.
Jackson Free Press |
Rob Hamilton |
04-09-2009 |
Commentary
Tags: music reviews, Rolling Stone
Six Hours of St. Patrick's Day Musicnew
This Pogues box set will ensure no one ever questions your Irish sympathies.
Jackson Free Press |
Rob Hamilton |
03-13-2009 |
Reviews
Can the Best Original Song Oscar Be Saved?new
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences should have pulled the plug on this award when Disney stopped making quality musicals 15 years ago.
Jackson Free Press |
Rob Hamilton |
03-02-2009 |
Commentary
Tags: Oscars, film music
Jason Isbell's Latest is a Bold Concept with Problematic Executionnew
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit is a bold step forward for him. He sets out to expand his sound on the album, dipping his toes into different sounds and genres of music. The results are as problematic as the idea.
Jackson Free Press |
Rob Hamilton |
02-13-2009 |
Reviews
Still Fightingnew
Few artists have the kind of a story to tell about the fragility of life as Alejandro Escovedo. He has used his previous two albums—2006’s “Boxing Mirror” and the recently released “Real Animal"—to deliver his message.
Jackson Free Press |
Rob Hamilton |
09-02-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Alejandro Escovedo, Real Animal
Hip-Hop Rebootnew
There is a growing trend in the entertainment industry—especially in the movie and comic book mediums—of rebooting.
Jackson Free Press |
Rob Hamilton |
08-04-2008 |
Music
Tags: The Cool Kids, The Bake Sale
Coldplay Evades Musical Immortalitynew
While Viva La Vida is by no means a Razorblade Suitcase-esque debacle, it still leaves you a little frustrated.
Jackson Free Press |
Rob Hamilton |
07-03-2008 |
Reviews
'Warpaint' Seems to Be an Artistic Fork in the Road for the Black Crowesnew
Now that they have established their return, they can either go back to hiding an album of fluff behind a couple of quality songs, or they can try to one-up themselves and reach for their potential to put out a great album.
Jackson Free Press |
Rob Hamilton |
05-07-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: The Black Crowes, Warpaint
Good Musical Taste Helps Produce Quality TVnew
While The Sopranos used music in the forefront as a tool to further dramatic tension, The Wire -- with the exception of the montages at the end of every season -- used music in the background and did not flagrantly intend it to increase the scene's power.
Jackson Free Press |
Rob Hamilton |
04-21-2008 |
Music
Jazzy and Be-Boppinnew
With Jazzfest less than a month away, it is time to clear your schedule and figure out which days to attend.
Jackson Free Press |
Rob Hamilton |
03-28-2008 |
Concerts
Tags: concerts
Not for Posersnew
A playlist of good Irish music that has not been tainted by the holiday.
Jackson Free Press |
Rob Hamilton |
03-17-2008 |
Music
Are These the Good Times?new
While the Presidents of the United States maintain their sunny optimism with “These Are the Good Times People," the album is not nearly enough to nudge them out from under Weird Al’s imposing shadow.
Jackson Free Press |
Rob Hamilton |
02-29-2008 |
Commentary
Constructing the Authentic Love Songnew
There is something to be said for the love songs that understand the incredible amount of yourself you invest in another person and the choices and sacrifices you must make to keep the relationship strong.
Jackson Free Press |
Rob Hamilton |
02-14-2008 |
Commentary
